Givens on last night's save and the pitch that eluded Severino

ARLINGTON, Texas - Mychal Givens got the save last night and took the blame.

Givens said he was responsible for the pitch that scooted past catcher Pedro Severino as Elvis Andrus struck out with the tying run at second base. Severino raced to the backstop and threw out Andrus at first to preserve a 12-11 victory over the Rangers in the series opener at Globe Life Park.

A close play that could have tied the game and completed the collapse.

"It was all my fault," Givens said this afternoon. "I couldn't see the signs and I crossed him up a little bit. It's not on Severino, it's on me. He did a good job of getting to the ball and making a strong throw to first base to CD (Chris Davis)."

Manager Brandon Hyde was more upset that he needed six relievers in a game the Orioles led 11-3 and 12-5.

The Rangers scored six runs in the ninth before Hyde summoned Givens, who struck out Delino DeShields and Andrus. In between was an errant pickoff throw, the fourth error of the night for the Orioles.

Givens didn't check the scoreboard in the ninth and assume that he could sit back and relax.

"You always prepare for any situation and what can happen," he said. "It's baseball. It does funny things throughout the course of the season. You've just got to always be on your toes."

Givens earned his first save since May 6. He had three blown saves and three losses prior to last night's outing, but also tossed a scoreless inning with two strikeouts Friday night against the Giants at Camden Yards.

"I felt fine throughout the whole process," he said. "It just wasn't good luck. I made good pitches. It wasn't going my way and that's the name of the game.

"You just go through rough patches, but being a reliever you have to make adjustments. I think I've been on track the whole time. It just wasn't what I wanted, the result, but I'm just trying to prepare to hopefully get back to being a strong bullpen like we've always been.

"The only feeling (last night) is just getting the win. That's the most important thing going out there. It's not about myself or what I'm going through. It's about helping our team get a win."

Hyde wanted to lessen the pressure on Givens and used him twice in the seventh inning before last night.

"That's not my decision," Givens said. "I don't think about it. I'm ready to help the team win a ballgame in any situation they put me in."

Meanwhile, the Orioles tweaked their lineup tonight by flip-flopping DJ Stewart and Keon Broxton.

Hanser Alberto 3B
Trey Mancini 1B
Renato Núñez DH
Dwight Smith Jr. LF
Pedro Severino C
Jonathan Villar 2B
Keon Broxton CF
DJ Stewart RF
Richie Martin SS

John Means LHP